| 1. |
- Abazajian, Kevork, et al.
(author)
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CMB-S4 : Forecasting Constraints on Primordial Gravitational Waves
- 2022
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 926:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- CMB-S4—the next-generation ground-based cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiment—is set to significantly advance the sensitivity of CMB measurements and enhance our understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe. Among the science cases pursued with CMB-S4, the quest for detecting primordial gravitational waves is a central driver of the experimental design. This work details the development of a forecasting framework that includes a power-spectrum-based semianalytic projection tool, targeted explicitly toward optimizing constraints on the tensor-to-scalar ratio, r, in the presence of Galactic foregrounds and gravitational lensing of the CMB. This framework is unique in its direct use of information from the achieved performance of current Stage 2–3 CMB experiments to robustly forecast the science reach of upcoming CMB-polarization endeavors. The methodology allows for rapid iteration over experimental configurations and offers a flexible way to optimize the design of future experiments, given a desired scientific goal. To form a closed-loop process, we couple this semianalytic tool with map-based validation studies, which allow for the injection of additional complexity and verification of our forecasts with several independent analysis methods. We document multiple rounds of forecasts for CMB-S4 using this process and the resulting establishment of the current reference design of the primordial gravitational-wave component of the Stage-4 experiment, optimized to achieve our science goals of detecting primordial gravitational waves for r > 0.003 at greater than 5σ, or in the absence of a detection, of reaching an upper limit of r < 0.001 at 95% CL.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Cardoso, Rebeca Franco
(author)
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Beyond Th1 and Treg : intestinal T helper cells in disease and tolerance
- 2022
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The human intestinal tract is not only one of the largest organs by surface area in our bodies but also harbors the greatest number of immune cells. These cells are crucial for maintaining tolerance towards the various food and microbial antigens and mounting protective inflammatory responses towards invading pathogens. Inasmuch, a delicate balance exists between anti- and pro-inflammatory signals which are influenced by several factors and must remain in check to ensure appropriate responses towards innocuous and harmful stimuli. To this end, CD4+ T helper (Th) cells play a crucial role in orchestrating both tolerogenic and proinflammatory responses. This thesis sought to better understand the factors controlling Th cells in the context of different intestinal challenges. In Studies I and II, we investigated how dietary cholesterol sensing can influence Th phenotypes during homeostasis. In Study I, we found that the liver X receptors (LXRs)— which senses oxidized forms of cholesterol—influence the balance of Foxp3+RORgt+ regulatory T cells (RORgt+ Tregs) and Foxp3-RORgt+ Th17 cells in the gut-draining mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). Differences in the microbiota could explain the changes in Th17 frequencies but not RORgt+ Tregs. Instead, we found that LXR signaling in CD11c+ cells altered the RORgt+ Treg population. In Study II, we found that ingestion of the LXR agonist GW3965 led to changes in the frequencies in the IL-10+ Foxp3+ Treg populations in the small intestine and spleen. Interestingly, while GW3965 led to a decrease in IL-10+ Tregs the small intestine, it decreased their frequency in the spleen. Intriguingly, mice lacking LXR signaling in CD11c+ cells failed to develop oral tolerance. Together, these studies demonstrate the importance of cholesterol sensing during steady state. In Study III, we tracked the activation of naïve Th cells recognizing the commensal CBir1 antigen (CBir1 cells). We found that naïve CBir1 cells could be activated in the MLNs following dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and that, once activated, they were preferentially skewed towards an effector rather than regulatory T cell phenotype which was plastic over time. Furthermore, while CBir1 cells were not pathogenic on their own, they led to increased disease score in a T cell-driven mouse model of colitis. In Study IV, we analyzed how infection with the strictly enteric helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri (H. polygyrus) could influence Th cell populations in the skin. H. polygyrus infection led to an increase in the number of Th cells in the skin. Interestingly, this was not due to translocation of bacteria or general intestinal inflammation. Instead, H. polygyrus infection led to an increase in MLN Th cells expressing the skin-homing receptors CCR4 and CCR10. Taken together, the results in this thesis highlight the importance of cholesterol sensing and intestinal inflammation in controlling the fate of CD4+ Th cells in the gut and beyond.
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| 4. |
- Tahir, Aisha, et al.
(author)
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Assessing universality of DNA barcoding in geographically isolated selected desert medicinal species of Fabaceae and Poaceae
- 2018
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In: PeerJ. - : PeerJ. - 2167-8359. ; 6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In pursuit of developing fast and accurate species-level molecular identification methods, we tested six DNA barcodes, namely ITS2, matK, rbcLa, ITS2+matK, ITS2+rbcLa, matK-krbcLa and ITS2+matK+rbcLa, for their capacity to identify frequently consumed but geographically isolated medicinal species of Fabaceae and Poaceae indigenous to the desert of Cholistan. Data were analysed by BLASTn sequence similarity, pairwise sequence divergence in TAXONDNA, and phylogenetic (neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood trees) methods. Comparison of six barcode regions showed that ITS2 has the highest number of variable sites (209/360) for tested Fabaceae and (106/365) Poaceae species, the highest species-level identification (40%) in BLASTn procedure, distinct DNA barcoding gap, 100% correct species identification in BM and BCM functions of TAXONDNA, and clear cladding pattern with high nodal support in phylogenetic trees in both families. ITS2H-matK+rbcLa followed ITS2 in its species-level identification capacity. The study was concluded with advocating the DNA barcoding as an effective tool for species identification and ITS2 as the best barcode region in identifying medicinal species of Fabaceae and Poaceae. Current research has practical implementation potential in the fields of pharmacovigilance, trade of medicinal plants and biodiversity conservation.
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